Ecaton Posted January 31, 2014 Share #121 Posted January 31, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) I admit that the Sony/ Zeiss lenses are very sharp and probably telecentric designs so the angle of incidence is better matched to a digital sensor but these reviewers must not have been looking at purple fringing since it is atrocious on the Zeiss 55mm. Maybe if you shoot Jpeg, it is automatically corrected in camera, but I looked at some Raw files my friend shot with strong backlighting and the fringing was in Noctilux territory. Anyway, I am not going to start a war here, especially since you will be getting an M for yourself soon. The Sony is an amazing camera for the price, but if you look a little more closely, you will see where the compromises have been made in lens design. You are talking about a fast, 55mm, 250g, weather sealed, AF, USD 1000 priced optically outstanding lens. A bargain when compared to most other makes and certainly when compared to the Leica M lenses I have in the bag. Kudos to Sony/Zeiss. All things considered, this is probably the best 50mm (ok it`s 55mm) lens money can buy these days. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 Hi Ecaton, Take a look here 2014 - Possibly a big year for Leica. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
dwbell Posted February 4, 2014 Share #122 Posted February 4, 2014 Also appears to be "the best autofocus lens" ever tested at DXO. Which is nice, considering you're going to be mounting it on the "highest ever full frame sensor" in the A7R. If it is a little too big, you could put the 35mm FE on there too, which also happens to be the second best 35mm lens ever tested at DxO. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenPatterson Posted February 5, 2014 Share #123 Posted February 5, 2014 I suspect 2014 will be a big year for Leica with several major announcements. I think Leica will have their hands full getting the new factory up and running this year, which will involve all departments and substantial resources. I expect no major announcements. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted February 5, 2014 Share #124 Posted February 5, 2014 I think Leica will have their hands full getting the new factory up and running this year, which will involve all departments and substantial resources. I expect no major announcements. The new 'T' camera perhaps ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenPatterson Posted February 5, 2014 Share #125 Posted February 5, 2014 The new 'T' camera perhaps ? Like I said, no major announcements. If the T proves to be just an X Vario with interchangeable lenses, aimed once again at the vast cash reserves of the Chinese luxury goods market, it will be DOA. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjh Posted February 5, 2014 Share #126 Posted February 5, 2014 Like I said, no major announcements. The introduction of a new camera system would be a major announcement in my book. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenPatterson Posted February 5, 2014 Share #127 Posted February 5, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) The introduction of a new camera system would be a major announcement in my book. For Leica to introduce another dog like the X Vario, which offers no advantages over the competition save a red dot, would be the height of foolishness. "But it has a sharp, if somewhat slow, lens." Yeah? So does my phone. If the latest rumors concerning the T are accurate it will be millstone for dealers in Hong Kong and China just like the X2 and X Vario are now. Taking a page from the Hasselblad/Sony playbook is not the way to win asian consumers. What would be a hit? A full frame EVIL M mount camera that could handle wide and ultra wide lenses. Are we going to get that anytime soon? Don't bet on it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjh Posted February 5, 2014 Share #128 Posted February 5, 2014 If the latest rumors concerning the T are accurate it will be millstone for dealers in Hong Kong and China just like the X2 and X Vario are now. Taking a page from the Hasselblad/Sony playbook is not the way to win asian consumers. Who is spreading such rumours I wonder? Not even Steve Huff does. As I have said, Leica won’t be doing a Hasselblad. And that is no rumour. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
barjohn Posted February 5, 2014 Share #129 Posted February 5, 2014 Michael, given that Leica rarely has inventory when they announce a new camera with the XVario being one of the few exceptions, why don't they go ahead and announce with deliveries set for, oh..September or December? Why wait until April? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenPatterson Posted February 5, 2014 Share #130 Posted February 5, 2014 Who is spreading such rumours I wonder? Not even Steve Huff does. As I have said, Leica won’t be doing a Hasselblad. And that is no rumour. What rumors? Have you visited camera shops in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Wuhan lately, because I have? I can tell you in no uncertain terms that the X Vario and X2 not only have been available from day one, but that they are discounted in order to move inventory. I have no idea what Steve Huff says or doesn't say, but I know from first hand observation what the market is like in China for Leica products. Let me be clear, my definition of "Doing a Hasselblad" is to introduce a crop sensor EVIL camera with AF lenses that offer no distinct advantages over the already saturated market, except for the Leica branding. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pop Posted February 5, 2014 Share #131 Posted February 5, 2014 For Leica to introduce another dog like the X Vario, ... Speak for yourself. There appear to be plenty of people who have bought it and are happy with it, and not all of them dog fanciers, either. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwbell Posted February 5, 2014 Share #132 Posted February 5, 2014 Not even Steve Huff does. New Leica T (Type 701) Camera Soon? First Images? | STEVE HUFF PHOTOS What do you mean when you say "doing a Hassleblad" Michael? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenPatterson Posted February 5, 2014 Share #133 Posted February 5, 2014 Speak for yourself. There appear to be plenty of people who have bought it and are happy with it, and not all of them dog fanciers, either. In China the Leica X2 and X Vario have the reputation of being TuHao 土豪 cameras. That is, something to only be purchased as a fashion accessory by those with little or no knowledge of how to use them. BBC News - #BBCtrending: Tuhao and the rise of Chinese bling http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2013-10/18/content_17041971.htm Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjh Posted February 5, 2014 Share #134 Posted February 5, 2014 Michael, given that Leica rarely has inventory when they announce a new camera with the XVario being one of the few exceptions, why don't they go ahead and announce with deliveries set for, oh..September or December? Why wait until April? Who says there won’t be inventory when the new camera/system is announced? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosuna Posted February 5, 2014 Share #135 Posted February 5, 2014 For Leica to introduce another dog like the X Vario, which offers no advantages over the competition save a red dot, would be the height of foolishness. I cannot agree with you on this. The X Vario is not a dog. It is a beautiful camera with a good and elegant design, high quality of manufacture and a superb, really superb, lens. This is not a "me too" mirrorless camera. It is clearly a luxury product. This lens-centric philosophy is the Leica approach, and it is unique in the industry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 5, 2014 Share #136 Posted February 5, 2014 Speak for yourself. There appear to be plenty of people who have bought it and are happy with it, and not all of them dog fanciers, either.As a dog fancier I have an X1. Does that count? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjh Posted February 5, 2014 Share #137 Posted February 5, 2014 What do you mean when you say "doing a Hassleblad" Michael? Selling a rebadged Sony (or whatever) at 4 to 5 times the original price. Rather the T will be a real Leica. Also it won’t be that expensive, even when a Leica will probably never be the camera you buy on the strength of its low price. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosuna Posted February 5, 2014 Share #138 Posted February 5, 2014 New Leica T (Type 701) Camera Soon? First Images? | STEVE HUFF PHOTOS What do you mean when you say "doing a Hassleblad" Michael? They seem to be computer-generated fakes. I hope so. Huff says (and I agree): "To me it looks like a Sony NEX from 3 years ago.". The X Vario is a different thing. Just make a comparison between a X Vario and a NEX with zoom. Handling, design, quality of manufacture, optical quality... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwbell Posted February 5, 2014 Share #139 Posted February 5, 2014 Selling a rebadged Sony (or whatever) at 4 to 5 times the original price. Rather the T will be a real Leica. Also it won’t be that expensive, even when a Leica will probably never be the camera you buy on the strength of its low price. So a panasonic at increased price, although not 4 to 5 times, is ok? I would suggest that if Leica could sell a panasonic at 4 to 5 times the price they would, and probably should. So where in your opinion is the difference? (anyone have the percentage increase for rebadging Hassy/Sony vs Leica/Panasonic at hand? I'm not knowledgeable on any of them. Quick check on the latest Cat-Hass-trophy over the A99 suggests a modest 2x mark up?) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwbell Posted February 5, 2014 Share #140 Posted February 5, 2014 They seem to be computer-generated fakes. I hope so. Huff says (and I agree): "To me it looks like a Sony NEX from 3 years ago.". The X Vario is a different thing. Just make a comparison between a X Vario and a NEX with zoom. Handling, design, quality of manufacture, optical quality... My point was that Steve Huff is in fact spreading those rumours. Not an important point really though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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